The Best Skincare Routines to Combat Dark Eye Circles

Why do I look exhausted when I slept eight hours?

There it is again.
That half-second pause in a Zoom call.
Followed by: “Are you feeling okay?”
You were—until someone’s well-meaning concern reminded you that your under-eyes look like a noir filter.

If you’re constantly Googling “how to get rid of dark eye circles” while sipping a third coffee, welcome. You’re in the right place, and no, concealer alone won’t cut it.

Step One: Know Thy Circles

Spoiler alert—there’s more than one kind

Dark circles are not one-size-fits-all.
Some are blueish (thanks, visible veins).
Others are brown-toned (courtesy of pigmentation).
Sometimes it’s puffiness casting shadows.
Sometimes it’s just bad lighting—and worse genetics.

That’s why no single miracle cream exists. First, you figure out what your face is dealing with. Then, you get strategic.

AM Routine: Bright-Eyed and Armed With Caffeine

• Caffeine eye creams shrink blood vessels. Less pooling = less blue. Look for formulas with peptides if you want bonus firming.
  
• Vitamin C serums brighten and help fade hyperpigmentation. Think of them like coffee for your face—essential, a little acidic, and best applied early.
  
• SPF: Always. Yes, even there. UV rays worsen dark pigmentation, and you really don’t need that kind of sabotage before lunch.
  

Oh, and concealer? Use one with peachy tones to cancel darkness—not just mask it. Tap gently. Blend like you mean it.

PM Routine: Go Heavy or Go Home

This is where the magic happens (slowly, over 6–8 weeks)

Let’s be real: nighttime is not for half-measures.

• Retinol (a low dose): Builds collagen, reduces pigmentation. But tread lightly. Thin skin under eyes = high risk for irritation. Start twice a week and build up.

• Advanced eye treatment: This anti-wrinkle weapon from One Medical is not your drugstore dab-and-pray cream. It’s got peptides, niacinamide, and the kind of hydration that actually lasts till morning. Dark eye circles? Meet your match.
  
• Seal the deal: A rich eye cream or sleep mask locks everything in. Think ceramides, squalane, or shea butter. Hydration = plumpness. Plumpness = less shadow. Math.
  

Also, Your Lifestyle Is Calling You Out

Sorry—but it’s not just skincare

• Sleep position: Elevate your head. Gravity helps drain puffiness.
  
• Diet: Less salt, less booze. Your face will thank you.
  
• Allergies: Rubbing your eyes makes things worse. Treat the root issue.
  
• Water: Drink it. Not just in the form of overpriced cold brew.
  

Little habits matter more than most people think. You can’t out-serum poor sleep and three glasses of wine.

Things That Don’t Work (But Keep Getting Recommended)

We checked so you don’t have to

• Hemorrhoid cream: No. Just… no.
  
• Over-exfoliating: Please stop scrubbing your under-eyes.
  
• Ice rollers at 6 a.m.: Fun for TikTok, limited real results.
  
• “Just use concealer”: You know that’s code for “I give up,” right?

Final Take: Long Game, Short List

The truth hurts more than the eye cream sting

Dark circles are stubborn little liars. They whisper things like “you’re aging poorly” or “you need eight more hours of sleep,” even when you’re doing most things right.

But here’s the kicker: with the right combination of brighteners, builders, and barriers, you can make real progress.

Not overnight. Not with one product. But with consistency? Absolutely.

So no, you’re not crazy. You’re just dealing with a very petty part of your face. The good news? You now know how to handle it.